Chapter 12: Admittance and Heartbreak
Part One
Claude's P.O.V
It's been several months since my arrival to the Opera house, quite honestly I've had an amazing time despite being trapped in the dark abyss. Erik and I have grown close, I mean he hasn't tried to kill me again so that's progress. I guess you could say we've become friends in a way which makes me pretty happy. I was surprised by how relaxed and entertaining he was once he opened up to me. He's even allowed me to spend more time up top, Meg and I have actually learned to appreciate that time… though she still doesn't know where I've been this whole time.
Raoul and I have started a courtship, it's amazing! He the perfect gentleman though were still working on the whole calling me Claude not Claudine thing. Christine, as predicted, rose through the ranks and basically became an overnight sensation after her debut performance. As much as I hate to admit it she was a damn good Prima Donna too. Though I could still catch her wandering eye watching Raoul.
It pissed me off, as if I hadn't made myself clear on many occasions before, I would gladly do it again. Besides after Erik and I had gotten closer he revealed to me that he was in love with Christine, that he always had been… gross. It was sad though I knew Christine had no intention of shifting her affections from Raoul. If I was going to make sure Raoul and I lasted I had to make sure Christine and Erik got together. Erik deserved to be happy as well, Christine should count herself lucky.
Anyways, today was the day that Raoul and I were to see Erik's latest opera, I walked through the once again busy halls of the Opera House. Spotting Meg I quickened my pace and shouted her name.
"MEG!" I ran up to her and hugged her.
"Hello Claude!" She giggled and steadied herself.
"I'm so excited to see the performance for tonight! I know Christine and I have had our differences but I must admit watching her perform is breathtaking." Meg's smile fell.
"Didn't you hear?"
"Hear what?" I looked at her.
"Carlotta has returned, after Christine's disappearance the managers had no choice." I turned and glared at the managers.
"They seem to have a bad habit of re-casting people." I was still bitter from when I first arrived her. My hands were itching to play the piano.
"I fear the Phantom will be upset about this, not only have they re-casted a role without his consent but they've also rented out box five to the Vicomte." Meg was twisting her hair nervously.
"Everything will be fine Meg. I will talk to the managers and try to persuade them to at least keep box five open, though I don't know if there's much I can do." I pat her shoulder, she smiled softly but her confidence was lacking. Turning on my heel I took a deep breath and marched right up to the managers.
"Monsieur Firmin, Monsieur Andre!" The two men turned in surprise once they saw me approaching they grimaced.
"What is it Mademoiselle?" Andre asked me, it was obvious that he was irritated.
"Why is box five being rented out? Isn't it meant to stay open at all times?" The two men rose their eyebrows and shifted uncomfortably.
"It was given to someone who we couldn't refuse." This time Firmin spoke up flashing me a smile.
"To whom? Pope Pius IX?" The two men remained silent as we all heard someone approach me from behind.
"Now I wouldn't call myself a Pope but I am the patron of this establishment." I turned and faced the man of the familiar voice.
"Raoul… do you really think it's a good idea to sit in that box?" He squared his shoulders and set his jaws.
"Why yes I do, the acoustics from the stage travels well to that side of the theater, I can most everything and it's very agreeable to me."
"But Er- I mean the Opera Ghost specifically requested it to stay open, if we don't obey things will go wrong." He gripped his cane tighter.
"I will not hear any more of this "Opera Ghost" he is nothing but a figment of your imagination, that or a mad man who belongs in an institution." I was shocked by his sudden coldness though I remained silent.
"Of all people Claudine I would have thought you would have your senses. I was just on my way too, to deliver great news to you but now I feel as though your superstitions may prevent you from even considering it." I narrowed my eyes at him, he was acting strange his posture was off and his eyes kept darting to a specific area. Slowly I let my guard down and sighed defeated.
"I'm sorry, what was your news dear?" I smiled a soft smile yet he did not return it like he usually would.
"I have convinced Monsieur Firmin and Andre to let you take lead piano tonight." He said it simply.
"Really? Oh my gosh Raoul! Thank you!" I jumped up and hugged him tightly. But he did not return my hug or my joy.
"I'm glad this makes you happy." He nodded and turned, I frowned.
"Wait… but weren't we supposed to watch the Opera together? He paused in his tracks and turned to me.
"Something came up, maybe another night." With that he was gone.
Later in the evening I none walked down to the pit, there awaiting me was a grand piano, it was gently used but it was beautiful none the less. I sat down and waited for my cue, the lights dimmed and the show began. It was exhilarating playing the piano again, I felt so alive, once or twice I would look up at box five to see Raoul fixated on the stage. Then this awful voice nearly made me lose my focus, what in the hell was making that dreadful voice. The musicians around me were grimacing and flinching but we had to keep playing.
"DID I NOT INSTRUCT THAT BOX FIVE WAS TO BE KEPT EMPTY? A demonic voice boomed through the Opera house. This time I did mess up my notes.
"He's here, the Phantom of the Opera!" I could faintly hear Meg, she sounded so frightened.
"It's him!" I heard Christine barely.
"Your part is silent, little toad!" I had no issues with hear Carlotta.
"A toad, madam? Perhaps it is you who are the toad..." With that the Opera house was once again silent. Carlotta muttered something and the musicians were cued to start playing again but before we could Carlotta chocked on her words…. Well croaked was a better word. I had to keep myself from laughing as she fled the stage in utter rage and terror. After that one of the mangers rushed onto the stage and said something about how there would be a quick intermission while Christine got ready for her role.
We were about halfway through the performance, but a bloodcurdling scream interrupted the performance. The audience erupted into a panic and the dancers scattered, I rushed to the stage to see a body of a stagehand. I looked to my left to see Meg being held by my Aunt both looked pretty shaken. I saw Raoul run towards the stairs that led to roof, without thinking I ran after him. My mind and body was numb I had to get to Raoul and make sure he was in no danger.
I reached the roof in record time, panting I stopped to catch my breath. I walked through the door and nothing prepared me for what I heard next.
No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you
Raoul was singing to someone, I walked forward a bit more to see he was singing to Christine.
Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here, with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you
Say you'll love me every waking moment
Turn my head with talk of summer time
Say you need me with you now and always
Promise me that all you say is true
That's all I ask of you
Let me be your shelter
Let me be your light
You're safe, no one will find you
Your fears are far behind you
I held my hand over my mouth to prevent a sob from escaping my lips.
All I want is freedom
A world with no more night
And you, always beside me
To hold me and to hide me
Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you here, beside you
Anywhere you go, let me go too
Christine, that's all I ask of you
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you
Share each day with me, each night, each morning
Christine looked up at him with her big brown doe eyes… bitch.
Say you love me
Raoul smiled and cupped her face in his hand, tears were streaming down my face.
You know I do
Love me, that's all I ask of you.
Raoul then lifted Christine off of the ground and kissed her deeply, afterwards they ended their sickly sweet duet in unison.
Anywhere you go, let me go too
Love me, that's all I ask of you.
I couldn't take it any longer, they had admitted their love to one another and I had witnessed it. I turned and ran back towards the stairs my sobs had grown louder and I slammed the door behind me. I didn't care if they heard or saw me. I just had to get away.
That conclude's Part one and Chapter twelve! Onto Part two and Chapter thirteen! I need coffee... Don't forget to review guys! Getting into some juicy drama here!
-Kara